Chick-fil-A’s Anti-Gay Statements Show Freedom Of Speech Is Not So Free

There was a time where people did not have to worry so much about the repercussions of voicing an opinion. Centuries ago, being P.C. (Politically Correct) was not a concern when you discussed openly how you felt about an individual’s lifestyle, such as being a homosexual.

Values were different back then and those of a religious nature could not even think of a man marrying another man or a woman marrying another woman. There was no one to speak up and defend the rights of those that lived against what was considered the norm and many would condemn both privately and publically, anyone that were non-heterosexuals.

Today, freedom of speech, as with most things, comes with a price. Some people feel the price paid is worth it while others have to deal with the costly ramifications. One such person is Dan Cathy, president of Chick-fil-A, who came out publically on Monday and said that he is against same-sex marriage. Since then, he is discovering that freedom of speech is not as free as he might have thought.

I have always felt that everything has a good side and a bad side to it. While something may benefit one group of people, another group would have no benefits from it. Technology, in this case the internet, has its’ benefits and drawbacks for this type of situation. Those who are familiar with Twittering and blogging love that they can have instant access to real-time news and information. They can also respond back to others about their opinions immediately and share them with others who are logged onto the website.

The downside is that an opinion that can be unfavorable about a person or business can spread like wildfire. More and more people become informed, express their opinions and could end up joining the bandwagon. When this happens, a person’s reputation can be hurt or a business can lose revenue; both in the span of a few hours!

The Baptist Press, the news agency of the Southern Baptist Convention, had interviewed Monday President Dan Cathy of Chick-fil-A. During the interview, Cathy had said he was in support of what he called the bibles definition of the family unit. He told the Baptist Press that, “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.” Today, the company’s Facebook and Twitter pages became inundated with comments both supporting and denouncing what Cathy had said. Duke Richards on Facebook wrote, “Hate mongers! Never again! Not another $ from me.” Sharon R. Boyd said, “Thank you for standing up for what you believe. The truth is not hate. It’s just the truth.” Viewpoints on social media went back and forth on what Dan said and appear this will not die down anytime soon.

The purpose of this article is not to voice out if I agree with Dan Cathy’s opinion. It is an example of how we must monitor ourselves when it comes to freedom of speech. Though the constitution grants American citizens this right, to do so has its’ consequences.

There are more than 1,615 Chick-fil-A’s restaurants in 39 states; including Washington D.C. According to their website, their annual sales reach over $4.1 billion. It will be interesting to monitor how their sales do during the social media “war” that is currently going on. Are you a supporter for those who feel Cathy is a hate monger and will never go there to eat again? How about those who admire him for not expressing hate but simply the truth? Should he have simply kept his opinion to himself and not say anything? What do you think?

Ed Helms Boycotts Chick-Fil-A For Being ‘Anti-Gay’

The Chick Fil chain has publicly admitted to being ant-gay and opposed to gay marriage, and this has gotten Ed Helms feathers ruffled. Ed Helms is officially boycotting them.Ed tweets Chick Fil A doesn’t like gay people. So lame. Hate to think what they do to the gay chickens. Lost a loyal fan.

Dan has served as President and Chief Operating Officer at the $3.5 billion Chick-fil-A since 2001 and has worked for the company for over 40 years. Dan began his career at Chick-fil-A at age 9 as he sang songs for customers and did radio commercials for the chain’s original restaurant. Today, Chick-fil-A is one of the nation’s largest family-owned quick-service restaurant chains. Dan loves impacting the lives of others and says, “Regardless of my title, I actually work in Customer Service — and with more than 1,500 Chick-fil-A restaurants led by more than 60,000 team members, operators and corporate staff, I’ve got a lot of customers to serve!” Chick-fil-A is as much about people as it is about food and rather than lead from his corporate office in Atlanta, Cathy chooses to spend the majority of his time traveling to the chain’s growing family of restaurants and interacting with Chick-fil-A’s committed team of restaurant operators and team members. Dan is a husband, dad, musician, gardener, athlete, biker, pilot, Sunday school teacher and non-profit board member.

Bigot- a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion. — How is this not the definition of the entire gay agenda? I am not concerned with who you sleep with or who you marry for that matter. Go right ahead, but all this backlash because a man says that he believes in traditional marriage is absolute bigotry. Why must the entire world think as the Gay agenda does or be subject to their wrath?? Where is the room for varying opinions?

I just need to better understand the slant I am perceiving throughout this war in words. Because it surely has become just that.. how is it that Chickfil’s Cathy will endure the wrath and absolute ugly disdain of so many for simply stating aloud, in non-threatening, certainly not hostile terms, what had to be known was his belief all along. And then conversely, why he is attacked, in many ways, quite viciously. It doesn’t win support or my sympathy for a view that opposes his as I feel instantly compelled to defend what I regard an equal right to express belief. Dine or do business as you so please… Any should have always. But angry attacks and accusations of hate are unwarranted and, honestly, less than uninformed.

I agree with Jack. All the first amendment says is that the government cannot make any laws restricting our freedom of speech (it protects religious freedom, freedom of the press as well). Now if the government told Dan Cathy he couldn’t express those thoughts, that would be an outrage. Same with Ed Helms’ response.
When you take a stand, it frequently has a cost — people might not vote for you, or like you, or, in this case, spend money at your store (The Supreme Court tells us that spending money is also free speech and cannot be restricted). So no one should feel that Dan Cathy’s speech is being restricted; it’s not. And if any of us want to buy more Chick-Fil-A or stop buying Chick-Fil-A’s, that seems like very protected speech – -and we should all be pleased Dan, Ed, and all of us have a right to say (or spend) what we want to.